There is a possibility of an NJ TRANSIT rail stoppage resulting from a rail union job action beginning on Sunday, March 13. This would result in a complete suspension of rail service. Please visit njtransit.com/railstoppage for more information.

A work stoppage would affect more than 160,000 customers, including thousands of Morris County commuters, who ride the system on a typical weekday. In the event of such a stoppage, NJ TRANSIT has developed a contingency plan that would accommodate up to about 38 percent, or about 40,000 seats, of the existing New York-bound customer base.

But commuters are advised to expect unusual congestion and delays on all travel modes

This contingency plan includes adding capacity to existing New York commuter bus routes in close proximity to rail stations, contracting with private carriers to operate bus service from key regional park-ride locations during weekday peak periods, increasing capacity on its three light rail systems, and maximizing use of the available capacity on PATH and ferry service.

NJ Transit 29, 70, 73, and 79 bus routes in Morris County provide service to Newark.

NJ Transit 194 bus route in Morris County provides service to New York City.

Some towns in Morris County, including Morris Township, Morristown and Madison have arranged for some morning commuter buses for round-trips to New York if the strike occurs. You are advised to check your municipal websites.

Dennis Martin

“A rail stoppage would have a severe impact on travel in the entire region, as capacity constraints on both our public transportation system and our road network limit our ability to accommodate every displaced rail customer,” said NJ TRANSIT Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin. “NJ TRANSIT will operate a plan that the overall system and region can safely handle to accommodate as many customers as possible who absolutely must travel into and out of New York, bearing in mind that bus service cannot replicate the railroad.”

In developing its contingency plan, NJ TRANSIT focused available resources on the largest segment of its rail customer base—the New York-bound customer. Approximately 105,000 customers make up the total rail-based interstate market, including customers who transfer from NJ TRANSIT rail to PATH trains at Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station.

Through a combination of added capacity to existing New York bus routes, operation of a regional park/ride service, and private carriers adding capacity where possible to their own bus routes that parallel rail corridors, NJ TRANSIT estimates that it can carry approximately 40,000 New York customers.

Regional Park-Ride Service

Park-ride service will operate on a first come, first served basis from five key regional park-ride lots, weekdays only, during four-hour AM inbound (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and four-hour PM outbound (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) peak periods.

MetLife Stadium to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York

PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel to New York City (Academy)

Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH

Metropark Rail Station to Harrison PATH Station

Ramsey/Route 17 Rail Station to Lincoln Harbor Ferry, Weehawken

No midday, evening, weekend or reverse commute service will operate on these park-ride routes.

The park-ride locations were selected based on their size/parking capacity, access to regional highways, and geographical distribution. Access to area PATH stations and ferry service was also analyzed in an effort to minimize congestion at Hudson River crossings.

Enhanced NJ TRANSIT New York Bus Service

NJ TRANSIT will enhance peak period service on 29 existing New York bus routes in close proximity to rail stations. The routes are as follows:

Rail: In the event of a stoppage, no rail service will be provided on the Northeast Corridor (including the Princeton Branch/Dinky), North Jersey Coast, Morris & Essex (including Gladstone), Main/Bergen County, Montclair-Boonton, Raritan Valley, Pascack Valley, Atlantic City, and Port Jervis lines.

Bus: To lessen traffic congestion and delays at the Lincoln Tunnel and to take advantage of the proximity to connecting PATH and ferry service, NJ TRANSIT will make the following service adjustments in the event of a rail stoppage:

The 156R, 158 and 159R bus routes serving the River Road corridor will terminate at the Port Imperial Ferry Terminal in Weehawken on weekdays, for cross honoring with connecting NY Waterway ferry service. Weekend service will operate on its regular route to/from New York.

The 126 bus route in Hoboken will operate on a reverse routing on weekday mornings, beginning at Willow Avenue and 19th Street and operating south to Hoboken Terminal, for cross honoring with PATH and ferry service. In the evening, the bus route will operate from Hoboken Terminal back to Willow Avenue and 19th Weekend service will operate on its regular route to/from New York.

Access Link: Service will operate normally, however customers should anticipate longer travel times as a result of anticipated increases in traffic, and additional passengers in vehicles.

Ticketing

All existing valid rail tickets and passes with an origin or destination of New York will be accepted for travel on all park-ride service, and will be cross-honored on NJ TRANSIT buses and light rail lines, private carrier buses, PATH and NY Waterway.

Customers who do not already have a ticket or pass may purchase round-trip tickets to/from New York during morning hours on site from the park-ride locations. Round-trip tickets for regional park-ride service will also be available via MyTix, NJ TRANSIT’s mobile ticketing app.

Fares from regional park-rides are based on the existing fares from those locations. Adult, senior/disabled, and child fares will be available, as follows:

ORIGIN

DESTINATION

ADULT ROUND TRIP FARE

SENIOR/DISABLED

ROUND TRIP FARE

CHILD ROUND TRIP FARE

MetLife Stadium

Port Authority Bus Terminal

$11.00

$4.90

$4.90

Ramsey/Rt 17

Lincoln Harbor Ferry Terminal

$24.50

$11.40

$11.40

Metropark

Harrison PATH Station

$21.50

$9.80

$9.80

Hamilton

Newark Penn Station for PATH connection

$32.50

$14.70

$14.70

PNC Arts Ctr.

New York

$36.00

$18.00

$18.00

Cross-Honoring

NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes will be cross-honored on all NJ TRANSIT bus and light rail lines as well as on private carrier buses and PATH trains. Passes also will be cross-honored on all NY Waterway service including Weehawken, Hoboken and North Hoboken, as well as Seastreak services into Manhattan and PATCO service to/from Philadelphia.

Web Site and Travel Information

NJ TRANSIT has created a special section on njtransit.com with links to the latest travel information across modes.

Information on NJ TRANSIT’s website is available in 14 languages using Google Translate. To use a language other than English, click on “Translate This Site” at the lower right corner of the homepage and click on the language of your choice.

Customers may also access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT or listen to broadcast traffic reports. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your smartphone. Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.